Question

If the mass number \[A\] of a nucleus increases, its radius increases as \[A^{1/3}\]. This implies that:

Options

• Heavy nuclei are enormously larger than light nuclei

• Heavy nuclei are larger than light nuclei, but not enormously larger

• Heavy nuclei are smaller than light nuclei

• Heavy nuclei and light nuclei have exactly identical radii

Answer 1

Because the radius grows as \[A^{1/3}\] and not as \[A\], a large increase in mass number produces only a modest increase in radius. Hence heavy nuclei are larger than light nuclei, but not enormously larger.